CHORAL MUSIC

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 104, 30 October 1939, Page 4

CHORAL MUSIC

PROGRAMME OF CAROLS

The annual concert of Rongotai College, held in the Town Hall on Saturday evening,. was given in aid of the Wellington1 Free Kindergarten Association. The audience which filled the hall was delighted with the entertainment, which fully maintained the reputation that the college concerts have established.

The boys' choir, consisting of nearly 400 singers, gav.e a programme of Christmas carols." The choir was conducted by Mr. J. Todd McCaw, and organ accompaniments were played by Mr. Maxwell • Fernie, who also played two solos. The dignity and simplicity of the carols and the excellent singing of the choir gave an impressive effect, and the conductor, organist, and singers co-operated in a way that showed careful study of the resources of the choir.

Music by Handel and Purcell was played by. the Wellington Women's Centennial String Orchestra, conducted by Madame Betts-Vincent, and fitted perfectly into the atmosphere of the choral programme. This orchestra is the only one of its kind in Wellington, and its performance inspired the hope that it may become a permanent element in the musical life of the city. Mr. Ray Trewern, tenor, and Mr. Harison Cook, bass, sang solos, and also sang with the choir. Mrs. Wilfred Andrews* who accompanied at the piano, sang two solos, and two numbers were given by the Harmonic Quartet.

Mrs. J. A. Doctor, president of the Wellingtpn Free Kindergarten, thanked the choir and the other artists for the assistance they had given to the Kindergarten Association.

The Hon. H. G. R. Mason, in a short address, expressed his appreciation of ..the work of the Free Kindergarten.

Mr. F. M. Renner, principal of Rongotai College, said he was pleased to put the services of the choir at the disposal of t so worthy an institution as the Free Kindergarten.